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A heartfelt story

Highly resistant to both water and pilling, felt is a perfect material for the table.

Vicky Sanderson

Published: February 26, 2019 - 3:30 PM

There are several good stories about the origins of felt — the homey, highly versatile textile used in everything from children’s crafts to airplane machinery.

One theory, according to the International Feltmakers Association www.feltmakers.com is that ancient shepherds who stuffed wool from their flocks in the bottom of their sandals for comfort discovered that pressure and moisture compressed it into a dense, water-resistant, and cushiony fabric.

Another story is that the fleece produced by sheep, goats, and camels loaded onto Noah’s Ark turned into felt after being trampled during the voyage. Given that the Great Flood story also appeared in the pre-biblical Epic of Gilgamesh, that would mean humans have been making felt for at least 5,000 years.

Artist Lorraine Tuson www.lorrainetuson.com is fascinated by felt’s history, and its potential as a modern material. In 2016, she launched an online store selling merino-wool felt cushions, modular table runners, placemats and trivets, as well as handsome purses, glasses cases, and pouches. She also creates original art with felt. The Pendulum, for example, is a hanging piece made from felt, leather, and brass that drew rave reviews at the 2018 Interior Design Show.

The road Tuson took to working in felt had numerous stops along the way: her background includes graphic design, teaching, art directing in the publishing sector, and illustration of all sorts, including work with international brands like Ford, Delta Airlines, and Mondavi Wines.

One of threads that tied all those pursuits together was a love of making things with her hands, and with material.

“Whenever I needed space or a break, I would make things. It always got me to a difference place, and one where I could be calm. Exploring media (materials) is something that I’ve always done.”

How did Tuson fall into felt?

“I don’t even know!” she says. “When I was thinking about what I’d been dreaming about forever, which was creating my own products, I was going to start with linen and canvas. But I came across felt and was completely smitten by it. It’s such a beautiful material in its purity, the colourways are lovely, and it’s so tactile.”

It’s also got a sensible side she loves. “When you bend it, it will hold its form. You put it back flat, and it will stay flat. It means I can build with it and create a huge variety of products that don’t rely on anything else it to give them substance.”

Felt is also easy to maintain. “People are kind of blown away by that. It has natural oils because it comes from sheep, and that makes it water repellent. Someone spilled a whole glass of red wine on a runner (at a dinner party Tuson gave) and everybody gasped. I just ran it under the sink — the wine beaded and fell off.”

Inspiration comes from various sources; mid-century modern design, favourite textile designers like Glaswegian Robert Stewart, nature, and the strong lines od Brutalist architecture.

“I’m a secret Brutalism admirer,” she says, “and I like to look at the relationship between a building and the nature around it.”

Tuson’s designs are monochromatic rather than multi-coloured because she “wanted felt to get star billing.” Silkscreens are constructed by a third party, but Tuson does the screening herself, a process she says is not for the faint-hearted.

“Because it has natural oils, it doesn’t really want to be silkscreened. It’s an expensive proposition when you screw it up.”

Felt’s eco-friendly qualities were another draw for Tuson.

“It’s bio-degradable but also very long lasting,” says Tuson. “As a designer, I’m conscious…how much stuff do we need and how long should it last? Then again, I enjoy making things that give pleasure. I made a glasses case a few years ago and it still looks new. Every time I pull it out, I pause — because there’s a little moment of joy at seeing something beautiful.”